Rival DPS factions must prove independence from party, CEC sets deadline

Rival DPS coalitions must prove that the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party is not part of their structure in order to participate in the early parliamentary elections on 27 October, the Central Election Commission has decided.

The DPS of honorary chairman and party founder Ahmed Dogan submitted documents to the CEC under the name "DPS - Democracy, Rights and Freedoms" in an alliance with two other parties, and the DPS of Delyan Peevski - again in a coalition with two formations - called itself "DPS - New Beginnings".

The Commission gave the two alliances until 5pm on 7 September to submit the necessary documents. They must also declare a separate bank account for a party other than DPS.

According to the electoral code, a party can only take part in the elections as part of a coalition.

"We refuse to accept the criminal decision of the Central Election Commission," DPS leader Delyan Peevski told journalists in the National Assembly. "We respect the law, let's wait for the decision, for me the CEC is flawed."

The politician also said that the commission was "working for the derebeys" (meaning the faction of honorary leader Ahmed Dogan) and for non-Bulgarian interests.